Good Progress and Good News

The trip to Glentunnel went well, got one night of great sleep (best since well before the surgery) and one night of good sleep.  For some reason we both sleep better in the caravan.  The overnight frosts of -3.8C were bracing, but it was warm inside.  I ran out of energy, but only after some reasonable activity.

This afternoon we visited the oncologist to work further through the process of determining whether I should have chemotherapy.  Initially the consultation session came up with a strategy based on 1/2 bottle of wine a day, plus chocolate, then the oncologist came in and the administrator, who is a friend of ours left, the oncologist was not confident that Kerry's approach would be of benefit.

The good news is that my CEA test, taken 2 weeks ago, is 1.8.  This is right in the middle of the normal range for a non-smoker, and strongly suggests no tumour is present.  After going through the figures again, and getting some more data, Teresa, the oncologist and another member of the oncology team considered that no chemotherapy is indicated at this stage, but CEA and my general state of health should be carefully monitored.  I agreed with this, so that is the approach we will take.

The plan is:

• CEA test 3 monthly, arranged via my GP
• Review 6 monthly by the oncology dept, for at least 2 years
• Continuing reviews by the colo-rectal unit, currently 6 monthly with 2 yearly colonoscopies

I will remain as an outpatient of the oncology unit and any abnormality will trigger intervention, likely chemotherapy.  I am very happy with this approach.

A not so good result today were my liver function tests, some were abnormal.  This is likely due to recovery after the surgery but I will get follow up tests done in 2 weeks via my GP.  I guess my slow recovery (by my expectations) is due to my liver taking its time getting back up to full performance.

Currently I expect to start work mid to later next week, I still have energy problems, but they are getting better every day.

Overall, I feel pretty positive and we are both looking forward to years of good times.